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Original poster

Bloody bastard chicklit with crap endings - sick of it, recommend a good one please!

114 replies

RachelRoyce · 12/04/2015 15:27

Adele Parks 'The state we're in' is the last one I read. I will not be reading anything else she has written, ever. Grrrrr. That's the 3rd book I've read this week with an absolutely shite ending Angry
I won't give anything away but the ending was just wrong. The two others I read just ended in a splat rather than a bang.

Is there no new, well written chick lit (oh how I hate that term)? I read good 'normal' fiction but I'm on holiday and I just want feel good happiness. I like Jill Mansell, Cathy Kelly and Fiona Walker. I have wifi and my kindle, best recommendations here please. Thanks!

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AlfieandAnnieRose · 12/08/2015 13:04

I'm a fan of most of the authors mentioned so I think you'll all enjoy this book!
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0552771627/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1439380794&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=may+contain+nuts&dpPl=1&dpID=41GFKM3X4KL&ref=plSrch
'May contain nuts' by John O'Farrell, such a funny read, there's not many books where I find myself chuckling away!

Olivo · 11/08/2015 14:11

Have you tried Freya North? Or the Sophie Kinsella ones? She also wrote some under another pen name, I quite enjoyed those too.

I can't understand people who are critical of these type of books. I can't stand thrillers, crime etc but each to their own, surely?

chemenger · 11/08/2015 13:53

I've also just read Alexander McCall Smith's Emma, which I enjoyed. Its an updated version of Austen's book so the plot is not a mystery, but his style is perfect for it.

chemenger · 11/08/2015 13:50

I always enjoy Georgette Heyer, my mum read them avidly and they never fail to entertain. Not Chick Lit really but historical romance, I suppose.

piddlemakesmegiggle · 11/08/2015 13:44

I can thoroughly recommend anything by Carole Matthews or Chrissie Manby

Roonerspism · 11/08/2015 07:17

Thanks to whoever started this thread. Great suggestions!

I don't like TV so "easier to read" books are pure escapism for me and my tired brain. Yes, there are probably far more worthwhile books I could be reading. However, they don't make me look forward to cuddling down in bed at night.

I hate a lot of chick lit if by the term you mean some of the real predictable trash. But there are some real gems to be found. I am delighted by all the suggestions here and will report back.

Ps I love Erica James.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 25/04/2015 21:54

We went on holiday over Easter and I read Love on the Rocks by Veronica Henry, thoroughly enjoyed it. If you want to give her a try she had a Quick Reads book out in 2013 called a Sea Change.

skyeskyeskye · 22/04/2015 13:52

I've been reading Tricia Ashley, but her books now all seem to have the same ending.... The best one was Twelve Days of Christmas which was the first one that I read.

I also started reading Harriet Evans, after reading Coming Home, which was great, but then some of the later ones haven't been so good.

FlightofFancy · 22/04/2015 13:41

blatantly marking place so I can come back and kindle some of these. need a bit of cheering up at the moment so these are perfect!

kateandme · 20/04/2015 22:51

Love all these suggestions.

Padraigin · 20/04/2015 20:45

Try "A Certain Someone" by Ali O'Donovan available on Kindle. Very funny and warm about accident prone ex teacher who goes to Kerry to mend a broken heart. Know I'm enjoying as slowing down reading very pacy and unexpectedly thrilling ending. goo.gl/jGGTnY

  • A bit Marian Keyes, a bit Pride and Prejudice but also reminds me of David Nicholls
slugseatlettuce · 20/04/2015 20:23

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janme · 20/04/2015 19:10

Have you tried reading Jojo Moyes? I have enjoyed all the books she has written.

shash1982 · 20/04/2015 18:21

Belinda Jones. Especially the paradise room.
Feel good books without being to sappy (if that's even a word)!

michelleblane · 20/04/2015 18:03

Jo Jo Moyes particularly early ones.
Santa Montefiore
Rosie Thomas.
All good reads.

minsmum · 19/04/2015 19:12

I am another one who would recommend Jennifer Crusie.

hooker29 · 19/04/2015 19:01

I've read all the Lisa Jewell books-love them! The House we grew Up in is fab-also really enjoyed Before I Met you ,The Making of Us and Vince and Joy.

Sleepyfergus · 19/04/2015 17:46

I've been reading Tilly Bagshawe books which aren't too bad, bit predictable but she spins it out a bit in a way which isn't too boring. However, some bits remind me a lot bit of Jilly Copper, but in a way that's she's blatantly copied Coopers style and I've recognised the odd similar scene which is a bit off putting as I've still to find anyone who writes as well as Copper for this style.

I thought Fiona Walker's 'Kiss Chase' (which I loved and have re-read many times) and 'Kiss & Tell' were good though it she can be a bit hit or miss - some of her other stuff I thought was pretty bad.

AyMamita · 19/04/2015 17:37

Jilly is 80s vintage chick lit. As is Jane Austen Grin.

2fat4that · 19/04/2015 16:43

I also loved Lisa Jewell, The House We Grew Up In. I haven't read The Truth About Melody Brown, but have heard it's good too.

hooker29 · 19/04/2015 16:13

Love Lisa Jewell-not predictable as most chicklit seems to be!

2fat4that · 19/04/2015 11:27

Watching with interest. I have "You had me at Hello" on my kindle, I'll read it next Smile

Original poster
RachelRoyce · 19/04/2015 09:20

Just back to say I've just finished Mhairi McFarlane 'You had me at hello' - really enjoyed it, thanks for the recommendation Smile Flowers

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slugseatlettuce · 18/04/2015 14:30

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AyMamita · 17/04/2015 20:07

Have you tried not reading chick lit? Jane Austen (the chick lit of her day), Nancy Mitford, Jilly Cooper are mostly light, easy, shortish reads that tick a lot of chicklit boxes while not being shit. Also The Great Gatsby for glamour, romance and drama and it's quite short which is a bonus